India, China Trash Pak Report of 158 Jawans Killed in Sikkim

After India, even China on Tuesday “denounced groundless” reports that came from Pakistani media on the casualties of 158 India soldiers in Sikkim due to military action with Chinese troops.

According to a report on Hindustan Times, the Chinese embassy in India took notice of the report and denounced its authenticity.

Earlier, India termed the report as “utterly baseless, malicious and mischievous” a report about casualties of Indian soldiers in Sikkim due to military action with Chinese troops.

India’s response comes after Dunya, a Pakistani media organisation, reported that at least 158 Indian soldiers were killed on Monday as China fired rockets across the border on Indian border installations.

Rubbishing the reports, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said no cognisance should be taken of these reports by responsible media.

China had recently conducted live-fire exercises in Tibet amid standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector. The drills reportedly lasted 11 hours.

The live-fire drills included the quick delivery of troops and different military units working together on joint attacks. Video posted online showed soldiers using anti-tank grenades and missiles against bunkers and howitzers for artillery coverage.

According to The Indian Express, foreign diplomats in Beijing have been informed that for now, troops of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have waited at the Doklam plateau, but will not wait indefinitely.

The diplomatic community in Beijing has reportedly been told that India has “jumped in” out of turn, when the dispute is really between China and Bhutan. China has been demanding immediate pullout of the Indian troops from the plateau.

Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

(With inputs from PTI.)

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